Amazing things happen out of the blue. For the TLDP, it came in the form of an email.

This email was from two Melbourne dentists. Given our core business, one might think that this is quite a pedestrian occurrence. But THESE dentists were asking if the Timor Leste Dental Program would be willing to be the recipient of the proceeds of a fundraiser they were organising?

YES! As all of our constant supporters and untiring volunteers have come to realise over the 15 years that this program has been running – dentistry is an expensive business.

Their event is a screening of the award-winning documentary, Bending the Arc , which is about a team of young people—Paul Farmer, Jim Yong Kim, Ophelia Dahl—whose charitable medical work 30 years ago ignited a global health movement. Their goal was to make high quality health care available to everyone, even in the world’s poorest countries.

Many years ago, Dr Brandeis McBratney-Owen and Dr Paul McBratney-Owen were inspired by the work of Dr Farmer and his friends. Hence, this exclusive Australian screening event is sponsored by their holistic dental practice, Melbourne Dental Wellbeing.

They plan to donate all ticket proceedings to the Timor Leste Dental Program (thank you very much!). If you are in Melbourne, we hope that you take the opportunity to experience this inspiring story, and to show your support for the ideal of universal health care (and the TLDP!). Hope to see you there!